My youth story cannot be a knight war

[“But I’m fine now, right? There’s no need to argue with others over such a small matter. Come! Let’s go to the carriage where our seats are.”]

[Akiyama Mio shook her head slightly, smiled and raised the ticket in her hand, then took the lead and picked up her luggage and walked to the other carriage in the opposite direction.]

[“Tsk~ You’re just too nice. Sooner or later you’ll suffer because of this character.”]

[“Well, don’t say that. Xiao Mio is such a kind girl. I believe she will have good luck in the future~”]

[Taizhong Ritsu pouted, and the teacher, Yamanaka Sawako, smiled and patted her shoulder, then put her arm around her and followed along with the other girls.]

……

[“Humph! That Lin Duo is so noisy.”]

[“Lucky for you, if the game hadn’t started yet…”]

[Listening to the footsteps of the light music club gradually fading away, Garima found his ticketed seat and sat down, snorted coldly, then looked up and glanced around. ]

[Its brown eyes turned blue in an instant, and the scene it saw became dim. In this field of vision, everyone in the car was shining with orange light.]

[“There are quite a lot of them. There are many here.”]

[Garima looked at the orange light that extended from the head to the entire Shinkansen like a lamp post in the dark night, and a hideous smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. ]

[“One thousand people, three days… Humph, just wait, I will be the first ‘GO’ to enter the ‘Game of White and Darkness’, and then…”]

[“——Even if it is ‘Him’, I will slash him with my blade. The only one who can bring about the ultimate darkness is me, GO-Garima-Ba!”]

【Om—】

[The blue pupils flashed a ray of destructive light in an instant. This light was so fleeting that the person who looked up in confusion in the seat next to him thought he was hallucinating.]

[In Garima's vision, the orange light of all the passengers on this Shinkansen was mixed with a strange purple light, just like a drop of ink falling into clear water.]

[From this moment on, all passengers on this Shinkansen train become Garima's prey, and they cannot escape its pursuit even if they flee to the ends of the earth.]

[——Among them, the light music club members were included.]

5. The beginning of the war (5K)

【Now. 】

[“Echizen City in Fukui Prefecture, Tateyama Town in Toyama Prefecture, Otsuki City in Yamanashi Prefecture… As expected!”]

【Zaimokuza rubbed his fingers on the map of Japan on the wall of the laboratory. Every time he mentioned a place, his fingers would pass over the corresponding area name written on the map. The names he mentioned were all the trajectory lines of the crimes committed by the unidentified life form No. 26.】

[When his finger reached the city of Niigata, which was marked in the new county on the map, Zaimokuza immediately looked down at the screen in his hand that displayed Hirasawa Yui's delayed message, and a drop of cold sweat slid down his forehead along his temple.]

[“It is true! No. 26’s killing track has been extending towards Niigata. Xiao Wei and the others who are currently undergoing training in Niigata City are also on its hunting list!”]

[“Tsk!”]

[Kousaka Kyosuke, who was standing next to Zaimokuza, didn't hesitate after hearing his analysis. He frowned, smacked his lips, and immediately took out his cell phone to call the Unconfirmed Life Response Headquarters, while shouting at him.]

[“Zaimokuza, call them immediately and tell them to evacuate to the nearest police station in Niigata City. I will have the headquarters notify them and mobilize all the police officers in Niigata City to provide protection for them and all the passengers who got off the Tokaido Main Line there yesterday!”]

【"clear!"】

【Zaimokuza knew that now was not the time to talk nonsense, so he deleted the message after giving a brief reply, and started dialing the numbers of Hirasawa Yui and others from his phone's address book.】

Gifu Prefecture, Kamiyama City, Kamiyama High School, Classical Studies Department.

"This……"

Seeing this, even Oreki Houtarou couldn't help but twitch his eyes slightly, and even with his eloquence, he was speechless for a moment.

"These school girls...are so unlucky."

Fukube Rizhi, who had come to sit on the chair next to him at some point, spoke out his true feelings. His brown eyes were filled with deep sympathy and mourning for the girls in the light music club who had suffered such a tragic misfortune.

"I encountered Gurongi the first time I visited Tokyo. Fortunately, I was saved from death with the help of Mr. Zaimokuza. The second time I came to Tokyo, I encountered these monsters again. Fortunately, I was saved by someone just like the first time. As a result, I encountered them again on the way home..."

"The first two times I was just accidentally involved. If that was all, I would have just stopped going to Tokyo. But this time, I was just going to another place for training to relieve stress, but I ended up running into No. 26, the criminal, and even got targeted while sitting in the car... This kind of luck is beyond the word bad luck and can only be called misfortune."

"I suspect that if they were to buy lottery tickets, people would probably just avoid the ticket they picked to basically guarantee they wouldn't die. Amen~"

At the end, he made a weird cross prayer gesture in front of his chest with a sad face, and ended with a Buddhist gesture.

"it hurts!"

A fist hit Fukube Rishi's back of the head hard. The attacker obviously did not hold back at all and knocked him off the chair and onto the ground. Oreki Houtarou, who was closest to him, dodged to the side without mercy and did not even try to support him.

"Instead of gloating over someone else's misfortune, why don't you think of some way to save them, you idiot Satoshi!"

With an angry look on her face, Mayaka Ihara retracted her fist, crossed her arms over her chest, looked down at Fukube Rishi who was stroking his head and getting up from the ground, and said unhappily.

“Aren’t you and Oreki pretty smart? Then think of a solution!”

"Yeah! You're going too far, Fukube-san! And Oreki-san is the same. Is there no way to help those underclassmen?"

Even Chitanda Eru, who was usually good-tempered, puffed up her cheeks in dissatisfaction with his remarks, and then shouted at Oreki Houtarou who was sitting upright in his chair with a scorching gaze.

“After all, you’re so amazing, Oreki-kun, there must be some solution, right?!”

"...I am grateful for your trust in me, Chitanda, but even if you say this to me..."

Oreki Houtarou had to awkwardly raise his eyes to avoid the girl who was putting her face so close to him. Not only because of those big eyes that were so bright that they seemed to pierce through his heart, but also because the angle was too close, and he could even see every single eyelash of the other person clearly.

[Too, too close! ]

Every time the pair of moist lips opened and closed, a warm breeze accompanied by the girl's fragrance blew into Oreki Houtarou's nostrils, making him, who was cold and lazy by nature, feel distracted. He couldn't even lower his head, otherwise he would see an even more embarrassing scene.

"It hurts... You're forcing me too much, Mayaka!"

Fukube Richi stood up with tears in his eyes and looked at Ihara Mayaka who was standing behind him with resentful eyes.

"Of course Houtarou and I want to help! But let's not talk about the fact that the scenes played on the screen are so far away from our reality. Even if there is a chance to help, what can Houtarou and I do? Help Mr. Zaimokuza and Mr. Kousaka fight those Gurongi? They will be killed instantly!"

"And at least this matter doesn't require our help at all. You underestimate Mr. Zaimokuza and the others, don't you think, Houtarou?"

"Satoshi is right."

Oreki Houtarou, who had finally found a chance to escape from this embarrassing situation, quickly responded. He was afraid that if he continued to maintain this posture, his body would show some unspeakable physiological changes in front of everyone present.

He placed his hands on Chitanda Eru's shoulders, gently pushed her back, and said with relief.

"Trust Zaimokuza Yoshiteru and the others. According to my reasoning, there shouldn't be any irreparable tragedy happening yet."

“Eh? Oreki-san, why are you so sure?”

"It's a simple truth."

Feeling that his heartbeat had finally returned to normal, Oreki Houtarou turned his head and spoke softly into the girl's puzzled eyes. His pair of emerald green pupils seemed inexplicably deep at this moment.

"...According to the general law of dramatic conflict, any dramatic or tragic plot is often best suited to erupt before reaching the end of the story, because the ending after such a plot can give the audience the greatest artistic aesthetic experience and spiritual shock."

"So after confirming that the tone of this story is not completely tragic, the Light Music Club, a group of characters that plays a significant role in the story, will not meet its end in the middle of the story, so don't worry."

“Oreki-san, what are you talking about? I’m so confused…”

"——Anyway."

Oreki Houtarou put his hand on Chitanda Eru's soft hair and ended the topic.

"You just need to know that if my guess is correct, they will be fine now... of course."

He turned his head again to look at his own light curtain, with an unspeakable heaviness hidden in the depths of his eyes.

"At least, nothing will happen now."

【New Prefecture, Niigata City, Police Headquarters. 】

【9:45 PM】

[“Come, have a cup of tea, it should make you feel better.”]

[“Thank you, thank you!”]

[The police chief kindly handed a few cups of hot tea on a tray to the girls in the light music club who were wearing white scarves and sitting in a row of chairs. Except for the experienced Kotobuki Tsumugi who remained calm and took the cups with a smile, the others were a little restless. Akiyama Mio clutched her scarf tightly while thanking the other party with a stuttering tone. Her slightly shaking hands almost spilled the tea in the cup.]

【“Don’t be so reserved, young lady.”】

[The director smiled, then walked back to the chair at his desk and sat down. He placed his hands on the table and faced the group of women whose expressions showed signs of anxiety. He spoke in a softer tone.]

[“In short, although it is not convenient to disclose the current situation to you, please believe us, you are very safe here.”]

[As for his consolation, Tianzhong Ritsu, who had already reached the limit of his patience with this situation, could no longer hold back and asked questions. ]

[“Please, please!”]

[Just like answering the teacher's questions in class, she raised her hand and swallowed her saliva before speaking.]

[“Well, that - we have become the target of Unidentified Lifeform No. 26... Is this true?”]

[After hearing her words, the smile on the director's face froze for a moment, and then he fell silent. This reaction made the people in the light music department sitting opposite him unable to suppress their excitement.]

[He did not answer this question, but this response is no different from an explanation in this situation.]

[“…It seems that you ladies have your own intelligence channels.”]

[After a long while, the director sighed deeply, and then the words that came out of his mouth undoubtedly gave strong confirmation to their doubts.]

[“Yes, according to the intelligence we have obtained, young lady, you have become the target of the unidentified life form No. 26.”]

[“Please wait a moment!”]

[As the only adult among the women, Yamanaka Sawako quickly calmed down after the initial panic. She gently pried open the hands of Nakano Azusa who were nervously grasping her arms, pushed up her glasses, and asked in a calm tone.]

[“Officer, I remember that according to the news, those unidentified life forms have been active near Tokyo. Why do they suddenly say that we have become their target? This is too bizarre. Can you give us an explanation?”]

[“Sorry, according to regulations, the details of this matter cannot be disclosed.”]

[In response to her polite question, the director shook his head and refused, then spoke in a low voice.]

[“But you don’t have to doubt this matter. You have indeed become the target of No. 26. This is the information just sent by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters. It has been confirmed and is definitely not wrong.”]

[“How could it be…”]

[Yamakana Sawako murmured unwillingly, and Kotobuki Tsumugi, who had been listening to their conversation in silence, suddenly spoke softly.]

[“If the details cannot be disclosed, can you give us a guarantee? Director Kudo Tsukozou.”]

[“Hmm? You are…”]

[When Kudo Suzuzo heard the yellow-haired girl in the crowd actually called out his full name, he was really shocked for a moment, and looked at Kotobuki Tsumugi with suspicion, who was smiling politely.]

[“It’s been a while since I last greeted you. I didn’t expect to meet you under such circumstances.”]

[Kotobuki Tsumugi nodded and said with a smile, while Kudo Suzuzo stared at her face, and the more he looked at her, the more familiar she looked. When he saw her eyebrows, which were too "broad" compared to those of girls of the same age, he, who had been in the officialdom for a long time, stood up from his chair with a look of shock on his face.]

[“Isn’t this the daughter of the Kotobuki family? Miss Kotobuki, why are you here?!”]

[“The last time I met you was at your birthday party several years ago, right? But please don’t get too excited. I’m just asking you questions as someone involved in the case. You don’t need to be so reserved.”]

[Kotobuki Tsumugi shook her head as the girls around her and the teacher stared in amazement, and continued to ask Kudo Suzuzo who was standing there in a soft voice.]

[“Director Kudo, can you give me a guarantee that if my friends and I stay here, we will be safe?”]

[“Of course! Miss Kotobuki, you don’t have to doubt this. I promise you that until all the police officers in this police station are killed in the line of duty, you and your friends will not be harmed at all!”]

[When he noticed that Kotobuki Tsumugi's tone became serious in the last sentence, Kudo Sukuzo nodded without hesitation and signed a military order, while secretly complaining in his heart, why is this super little ancestor of the Kotobuki family here!? ]

[This is no longer a question of whether or not to fight to the death. If something happens to this person here, given the rumored daughter-slave personality of the current head of the Kotobuki family, let alone whether he can keep his official position, I'm afraid he will have to commit seppuku in the end to apologize!]

[Just imagining the consequences of the other party getting into trouble, Kudo Suzuzo felt cold all over his body, and cold sweat oozed out of his forehead like a faucet, and he had to take out a few tissues to wipe it off.]

【“Then thank you for your help.”】

[“You’re welcome. This is my duty!”]

……

[The moment Kotobuki Tsumugi revealed her identity, she took control of the situation. However, compared to the other girls who were wondering about the family background of this long-time friend, Akiyama Mio had no other thoughts at all.]

[She held the hot tea tightly in her hand, lowered her head and looked at the beautiful face reflected in the misty surface of the cup, her heart was as messy as a ball of wool.]

[Until now, she still feels as if she is in a fog, and everything that is happening now is filled with a sense of dreaminess that is detached from reality.]

[Just half an hour ago, I was happily playing with my friends on the beach next to my friend's villa, just like yesterday. The atmosphere was filled with the sunshine and blue waves that are unique to summer. All the pressure accumulated in these days was vented out while playing with friends.]

【Half an hour later, Akiyama Mio and her friends are already in the chief's office of the city police station. The entire police station is filled with armed police officers inside and outside. The originally cheerful atmosphere has become oppressive and condensed, so heavy that it almost drips water.】

[It all started when Hirasawa Yui received a phone call. At that time, she was sitting on the beach building a fort with sand. After she heard the phone on the side ring and answered it, a deafening sound spread across the entire beach in an instant even though the speakerphone was not turned on.]

[“Xiao Wei! Hurry up and leave with your friends and go to the nearby police station for shelter. Unidentified life forms are on their way to find you!”]